Real Madrid vs. Liverpool: Key Takeaways from Brendan Rodgers' Pre-Game Presser

Liverpool have the unenviable task of travelling to the Bernabeu on Tuesday in the hopes that they can topple Real Madrid in an effort to keep their bid for Champions League progress alive.    

Focus swiftly turned toward Daniel Sturridge and whether the Reds star would be able to return from injury for the high-stakes encounter. Brendan Rodgers proclaimed that his recovering star is unlikely to be fit, per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

In the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, Cristiano Ronaldo netted his first-ever goal at Anfield as Carlo Ancelotti's men ran riot and the Portuguese forward kept up his stellar run of scoring form this term.

Clearly aware of the threat that would descend upon his team once again in Madrid, Rodgers was full of praise for the ex-Manchester United man, according to The Times' Oliver Kay:

Ronaldo isn't the only danger playing on the Liverpool helmsman's mind, however. Real Madrid TV's Rhiannon Jones quoted Rodgers in giving a bullish assessment of Tuesday's opponents, as well as his team's prospects as underdogs:

Real Madrid come into this fixture on the back of an 11-match winning streak while Liverpool have struggled of late, losing 1-0 at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Despite that pressure to perform, Rodgers is determined to see an improvement in performance, diverting attention away from individual players:

The Merseysiders may not be expected to overcome the reigning champions of Europe in their own backyard, especially with Real averaging more than three goals per game in their last 10 outings across all competitions.

Nevertheless, Rodgers is adamant in seeing Tuesday's match as an opportunity for his side to show there's life in them yet, as opposed to giving up before the battle has even commenced:

It's a challenge that no team in Europe would like to take on at present, and with a fixture against Premier League leaders Chelsea to contemplate this weekend, Liverpool's schedule doesn't get easier any time soon.

However, if Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad are to be prevented from claiming a top-two place in Group B, the Reds need to give a fine account of their abilities this week, something of which Rodgers is all too aware.